‘Let us not Interfere in the Prosecution of Rapists and Child abusers’- MPs told

 

Story by: Ishmael Barfi

 

Members of Parliament, Assembly members, traditional and religious leaders have been called upon not to interfere in the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes especially rapists and child abusers in their respective jurisdiction.

The call by Members of Parliament who have high rate of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in their respective constituencies  is to enable security personnel to discharge their duties without any interference of persons with social status with money in the prosecution of suspected criminals.

This according to the MPs, hinders the prosecution process, hence tampering with the justice system that seeks to punish individuals that violates the laws of the land.

The MPS present at the mentorship session of these adolescents where Mr. Sanja Nanja of Atebubu-Amantin, Mrs. Theresa Lardi Awuni of Okaikoi North, Madam Dzifs Gomashie of Ketu South.

The rest where Mr. Collins Adomako-Mensah of Afigya-Kwabre North Constituency and Mrs. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah of Ada Constituency.

Child marriage and teenage pregnancy prevalence rate is high in the Constituencies of these MPs who are working tirelessly to eradicate the menace hence their call to their fellow MPs and caution to the law enforcers.

The call was made during their interactions with the adolescents who joined them at Parliament as part of this year Adolescents’ Learning Forum, Legislators and Delegates Conference for mentorship organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Parliament House, Accra-Ghana.

The Legislators and Delegates Conference was to give the adolescents the opportunity to be mentored by the legislators and also discuss how best collectively, they can resolve the numerous challenges adolescents faces in their communities that hinders their development and growth.

Giving the purpose of the gathering, the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr. Banabas Yisa indicated that, Ghana as a country has numerous laws that does not permit child marriage but adolescent girls are been subjected and forced to either be in marriage or cohabitate with men as their partners against their will.

Therefore he called for the laws to be enforced and also the need to educate and inform these adolescents about these laws among other things that would ensure the safety, development and wellbeing of them.

This he noted is the objective of the Adolescents Learning Forum, Legislators and delegates Conference.

“If you all return to your communities and become knowledgeable with the change in attitude, then it means this gathering has achieved its objectives”, he noted.

On his part, the Member of Parliament for Was Central Constituency, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo explained that, Parliament is an open system in which diverse ideas and opinions are heard.

“And I believe you are beginning to understand how decisions are made in this country”, he noted

Pointing out to the adolescents that, Parliament is fundamental to democracy and can not be avoided if the nation wants to enjoy development in peace and harmony.

According to him, Members of Parliament s (MPs) are voted for to live a life-inspiring that would have impact on the lives of the adolescents hence the need to have interactive session with them.

To that effect, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo who is also the Chairman for the Population and Development Caucus in Parliament was of the hope that, the adolescents are being prepared for a future that will help government of the day to build a better system, thus “the Ghana we all want to live in”.

Taking her turn to address the adolescents especially the girls, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency cited the likes of Former Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Joyce Bamford Addo, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong as well as former Chief Justice, Georgina Wood who have achieved greatness as women.

Though these women did not have it all rosy in life, she emphasized that, their success in life have shown that, nothing is impossible to be achieved when one decides to hence challenged the adolescents to aspire to be great.

Adding “so you have no excuse to fail, just focus and work hard and you will achieve all your dreams”.

To her, child marriage, rape and teenage pregnancy reduces the dignity of the girl child, affects her health and also makes her to miss school which goes along way to have effect on the future.

She therefore advised the adolescents especially the girls that, “ the sweetness in your body will surely go down with age, it comes to a point where it’s not the most important thing anymore, peer pressure always be there irrespective of the age bracket, so be focus in life and know what you want”.

Madam Gomashie also appealed to the adolescents to allow parental guidance and should listen to advises adding “ don’t let our efforts be a waste of time”.

To the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA), Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie tasked them to officially write to the Speaker of Parliament to put measures in place to enable the forty (40) females Parliamentarians to have periodical interaction and engagement with the adolescent girls as a way of mentoring them.

This she believes will give these adolescent girls the sense of hope and empowerment as they pursue their respective aspirations and desires in life.

The Legislators and Delegates Conference saw thirty seven Members of Parliament and these adolescent girls from their respective constituencies in a break up groups discussing the causes of teenage pregnancy among adolescents and how best the legislators can help reduce it in their respective constituencies.

And at the end of the break up groups, all the three groups reiterated the importance to eradicate child marriage and teenage pregnancy by enforcing the laws as well as providing social supports to the affected adolescent girls for them to utilize their full potentials.

Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com